A high-level committee appointed to examine introduction of minimum support price (MSP) for non-timber Forest produce has recommended that a central agency be constituted to fix MSP for the produce collected by tribals and the price be fixed keeping in mind wages paid under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), transportation cost, value addition to the produce and local market prices. The committee, which was appointed in August last year...

A day before the Group of Ministers meeting on environment clearances, the Environment ministry has expressed willingness to increase the coal mining area to 74 % in 28 blocks, which fall in Forests, as against 65% earlier. Environment minister Jairam Ramesh is expected to inform the GoM that he was willing to allow coal mining in 28 coal blocks, which fall in 'No-Go' areas by redefining its boundaries. This means that an...

The government is getting ready to grant lease for granite mining despite strong opposition from the tribals in many areas of Palakonda in Srikakulam district. The irony is that the authorities are planning to grant these leases at the very place where they had already issued pattas to the local tribals. The tribals are already up in arms over the mining lease issue at Kannedhara Konda in Seetampeta mandal, Yelukalametta...

Has Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, who till recently was known for his green ‘overdrive’, toned down? Conditional clearance to several high-profile projects, including Posco and SAIL, is a pointer to how his ministry has softened its stand. Ahead of a meeting of the group of ministers (GoM) tomorrow, on the ‘no-go’ issue related to coal projects, 16 coal projects, that have been stuck for a year now, are set to get...

Having lost faith in the government for not conferring them tribal status, the Jhodia community in Rayagada district has threatened not to share their details to the enumerators during the census. The Jhodia population stands around 50,000 who live in around 85 villages, particularly in Rayagada's Kasipur block and eke out a living by collecting Forest produce and engaging themselves as daily-wage labourers. "For the past several years, we are...